Panthers announce three-year extension for Ron Rivera

The Panthers rewarded head coach Ron Rivera with a three-year extension Tuesday, locking up their head coach through the 2017 season.

Rivera was entering the final year of his deal, but General Manager Dave Gettleman has never wavered in his support for Rivera.

Rivera overcame a 13-19 record in his first two seasons, both of which included 2-8 starts, to push the Panthers to a 12-4 record and a division title this year.

“The improvement of our team has been reflected in the progress of the record over the last three seasons under Ron, and we look forward to building upon that foundation,” Panthers owner Jerry Richardson said in a statement.

The Panthers won 11 of their last 12 games to close the year after a 1-3 start, and with Rivera’s defense and a developing Cam Newton under center, appear poised to contend for the next few years.

I’m not sold on him after 1 solid year. But contracts can always be torn up, just ask Dan Synder.

seatownballers says:Jan 28, 2014 3:50 PM

Congrats Panthers fans. If they have another good draft they could get into the nfc championship game

edelmanfanclub says:Jan 28, 2014 3:58 PM

Good for him, he climbed up the ladder from player to quality coach to position coach to coordinator and Is now a good Head Coach. He’s a good coach but They should probably get a new O Coord.

jeffr85392 says:Jan 28, 2014 4:00 PM

Not bad for a guy who was supposedly on the brink of being fired.

jgedgar70 says:Jan 28, 2014 4:18 PM

He took over a 2-14 team and went 6-10, then 7-9 and now 12-4. And let’s not forget that pretty much the entire O-line went on IR except Jordan Gross, and the entire defensive backfield went on IR except Captain Munnerlyn. Get some of those guys back and add depth, along with another WR, and we are in great shape.

I’m glad I was wrong about Rivera and glad we have our coach locked up for 4 more years.

While youre at it, add “pftpoet” and “logicalvoice” to your list of most annoying nicknames

seaeagle707 says:Jan 28, 2014 5:11 PM

For the team that terrorized the rest of the NFC, for most of the year, to have arisen out of the “easy win against” Panthers of previous seasons, Rivera easily deserves the extension. The man has had a plan I’m sure, and simply needed the blocks to tumble into place. The Panthers are going to be formidable foes for most teams going forward.

To be candid and truthful, I fretted more about the Hawks having to face them, in the Conference game, than the Niners. Both are tough teams, but I believe that we could gameplan better against SF, than Carolina.

I don’t understand the comments saying this is a bad move…I just don’t. Steady improvements the last three years, the first playoff and division title in five years. They were competitive in 2011 & ’12 blowing leads and racking up losses. They learned to win this year and as long as they keep the main key components, why couldn’t the stay formidable? They need to fix some cap issues and grab some more talent but, I can see them continuing off the season we just had..

Go Panthers

doe22us says:Jan 28, 2014 8:58 PM

Good coaches are hard to come by, and i think Riverboat Ron has shown a steady and consistent improvement, in the era of impatient owners and fans i think the panthers are in good hands.